49ers coach Jim Harbaugh’s first two seasons with the team have provided a twist on the time-honored formula for a big-screen love story. Instead of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl again, it’s been boy meets girl, boy publicly professes love for girl, boy evaluates second girl, boy professes love again for first girl, boy meets third girl, boy tries to date both as long as he can before kicking first girl to the curb.

The Niners’ version of Girl No. 1, quarterback Alex Smith, reacted on Thursday to the reality that, while he’s still one of Harbaugh’s guys, he’s no longer “the guy.”

Smith didn’t say that. But everyone is thinking it. When Smith told trainers during a Week 10 game against the Rams that he was experiencing blurry vision after being hit in the head, Smith set in motion a chain of events that could ultimately cost him a shot at earning a Super Bowl ring and $7.5 million in 2012 compensation.

So, yeah, it sucks. Even though Harbaugh made what he believes to be the best decision for the present and future of the franchise.

UPDATE 4:03 p.m. ET: Actually, Smith came close to saying “this is why players hide concussions.” According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Smith

Smith is a very intelligent guy. He doesn't have the ability to smart bomb receivers like Manning or Brees. Neither does his replacement, but he should use better judgement. If the head coach wants to try something else, accept it. Nobody likes a cry baby.

Nemesis

12-01-2012 10:42 PM

Re: Alex Smith says demotion “sucks”

I feel for Smith. Seems just when he finds continuity and success in what was an ever revolving system, his job is threatened yet again. He should go to AZ.. Now let's say the youngster looks overwhelmed during the playoffs. Are the Niners gonna call on the player that this regime never really wanted to come in off the bench and bail them out? I'd be putting my home up for sale no matter what happens if I were Smith. Id pull a Palmer.

BTW: His replacement does indeed have the ablity to smart bomb receivers, along with the moblity that Peyton, Brees, and Smith dont have. Thats why he's starting.